Here are all the new restaurants to look forward to in the coming week. This week, top chef Aktar Islam opens his first London restaurant, the Lupa team open a follow-up in Hackney, Shoreditch's Nest gets a reboot and more...
Ornella
Hackney - 51 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG
After having a big hit with Lupa, the same team (actor Theo James, restaurateur Ed Templeton and chef Naz Hassan) are back again with their second restaurant. This new Hackney opening is bigger than the last one and while it keeps the Italian influence, this time they're looking to Milan for inspiration. That means dishes like risotto alla Milanese, along with vitello tonnato and tagliatelle al burro e Parmigiano on the menu.
Opening date: 1 May 2026
Oudh 1772
Southwark - 66 Union St, London SE1 1TD
He's been on Great British Menu, his Birmingham restaurant Opheem has two Michelin stars, and now chef Aktar Islam is opening his first restaurant in London. He's taken over a three-storey Victorian building and the restaurant is named after the Awadhi region which is what the cuisine will be influenced by. Expect kebabs and sharing curries, and a specific focus on slow-cooking methods. It's already very hard to get a booking, so we can see this one being a big success.
Opening date: 1 May 2026
Tavern
Shoreditch - 374-378 Old St, London EC1V 9LT
The latest reinvention of a London restaurant sees the same team behind Nest replacing that restaurant with Tavern, a British bistro. The executive chef is Brendan Appleby (head chef is Kirsty Easterbrook previously sous chef at St Barts) and his menu will be based on "generous, nostalgic British cooking". The devilled pig skin with smoked cod’s roe sounds tempting, and we like the sound of the chunion ‘puff’ - a cheese and onion-filled gougère.
Opening date: 28 April 2026
Avi Bistro
Belgravia - 21 Lowndes Street, London, SW1X 9ES
Avi comes from the same team as Belgravia pub, The Prince Arthur. Opening inside the Lowndes Hotel, it's being billed as a French/American bistro, with a few high-end touches. Those include adding caviar to fish & chips and fried chicken, and they'll also have dishes like the LA brioche noire lobster roll. The signature dish is apparently a burger called Le Big Mac avec Truffle, but we think a certain fast food corporation might make them change the name...
Opening date: 30 April 2026
Here's what opened last week
The Latimer (Ladbroke Grove) - The whole Spiteri family have joined together and opened a pub.
Igni (Mayfair) - Taking over Humo, this restaurant puts ex-Cycene chef Theo Clench in charge.
Miko Mei Fair (Mayfair) - Fire-led Thai cooking downstairs from MiMi Mei Fair.
Jolene Bridle Lane (Soho) - The hugely popular bakery and cafe comes to the centre of town.
The Golden Tooth (Stoke Newington) - The Papi team have opened their own pub.
Cue Point at The Garden Bar (White City) - The Texas/Afghan BBQ duo opened their first permanent place.
Bancone City (City of London) - The latest from the fresh pasta bar.
This week's events
30 April (South Bank) - Between The Bridges is back for 2026 with street food, live shows and more. They're holding a special opening party and the first 500 people through the door will get a free drink.
30 April (Knightsbridge) - Hackstons is having an exclusive Islay tasting experience at its Knightsbridge flagship store. Guests will be guided through six exceptional single malts including a Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old (1989) which retails at £750 a bottle. Tickets are £85.
2 May (Covent Garden) - New cocktail bar Cato is hosting a late-night viewing party of The Kentucky Derby from 10pm - 1am. With just 20 tickets, everyone will be assigned a horse and the winner will get the evening on the house.
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